Catmom
Member
- Joined
- Oct 10, 2018
- Messages
- 15
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Country
- Uni
- State
- TX
- City
- Round Rock
Hello, I went to a neurologist who suggested I had ALS based on my signs and symptoms. (Constant muscle fasciculations, positive Babinski sign, left side weakness and atrophy -atrophy in left hand and right around and now both calves- slurred speech and cramps where my muscles get stuck. Also have numb tongue and trouble swallowing, and possible oromandibukar dystonia) I was then referred to a neuromuscular specialist who conducted an EMG. During the EMG, for some reason he tested only the left side (wouldn't he need both sides for comparitive measures?) And he did not test the muscle groups that have the twitches. Further, I seemed to have only my rib twitching yesterday, and almost no twitching during my appointment. I know that EMG are only as good as the person conducting them, and he has rather poor reviews, but one of only two on my insurance. (They both have bad reviews)
So my question is, if I wasn't actively twitching during the test AND he didn't check my spots that twitch (other muscle groups) should I get a second opinion/second EMG? Or would ALS show in an EMG regardless of active twitches? He suggested waiting six months to see if there is further progression (I have progression but it has been 10 months, so very slow progression). However, if I do have ALS I'd like to start treatment asap because I have young kiddos.
So....wait six months or get an immediate second opinion?
I should add, they can't find another reason for my symtpoms, and said that it doesn't seem benign due to the progression and weakness and positive Babinski sign...but brain MRI and labs ok.
So my question is, if I wasn't actively twitching during the test AND he didn't check my spots that twitch (other muscle groups) should I get a second opinion/second EMG? Or would ALS show in an EMG regardless of active twitches? He suggested waiting six months to see if there is further progression (I have progression but it has been 10 months, so very slow progression). However, if I do have ALS I'd like to start treatment asap because I have young kiddos.
So....wait six months or get an immediate second opinion?
I should add, they can't find another reason for my symtpoms, and said that it doesn't seem benign due to the progression and weakness and positive Babinski sign...but brain MRI and labs ok.